WVLI News Update

• Bourbonnais passes ordinance outlawing sale of certain drugs

During last night's Bourbonnais Village Board meeting, trustees passed an ordinance outlawing the sale of Cannabinoid and Kratom products inside village limits. Village Attorney Patrick Dunn.  Dunn says the ordinance will become law once it's published, which will be in the next 10 days.

Also at last night's meeting, trustees granted a height variance to Faith Baptist Church so they can erect an 80 foot radio tower on their property 

• Help on the way at Route 50 and 12k North

40th District State Representative Patrick Joyce updated us this morning on plans to correct the deadly intersection at Route 50 and 12-thousand north in far northern Kankakee County saying he had a meeting this morning with representatives from the State Department of Transportation.  Joyce says the situation at Rte 50 and 12-thousand North is similar to that of another rural intersection years ago.  Senator Joyce says the hope is there'll be a signal at Rte 50 and 12-thousand North sometime in the next three years. 

• Fire destroys Peotone home

A historic house caught fire in Peotone Monday morning. Manhattan Fire Protection District was called to the home around 9:45 yesterday morning near Corning Avenue and South Mill Stree to tend to the blaze. According to the Peotone Historical Society, the fire took place at the historic Rathje residence. No word yet on whether there were any injuries or how much damage the fire has caused. We hope to have more information for you soon.

• Fire destroys Momence bowling alley

The old Red Cedar Lanes Bowling Alley in Momence went up in flames over the weekend. According to Momence Fire Chief Jim Spoon, they were called out to fight the blaze around 1:45 Saturday morning in the 100 Block of Gladiolus Street. It took firefighters about 5 hours to put out the flames. Chief Spoon said the bowling alley is considered a total loss and has been vacant since 2017. Cause of the fire is still under investigation. Illinois State Representative Jackie Haas' grandfather, Robert LaMotte, was one of the original owners of Red Cedar Lanes in Momence that opened in December of 1949. 

• Flags at 1/2 staff to honor former Gov Edgar

The state of Illinois is paying tribute to former Governor Jim Edgar.  US and state flags in Illinois are being flown at half-staff to honor Edgar, who died over the weekend at the age of 79 following a battle with pancreatic cancer.  He served as governor from 1991 to 1999.

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• Sept 15-21 is Farm Safety Week in IL

This has been designated “Farm Safety Week” in the State of Illinois. 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting says the idea is to call attention to the dangers of agriculture and what can be done to prevent them.  Representative Bunting “Farm Safety Week” includes highway safety.  Bunting adds farmers also need to keep an eye on their mental health during the stressful harvest season 

• Former Gov Edgar dead at 79

Former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar is dead at the age of 79.  His family announced his passing yesterday following a battle with pancreatic cancer.  Edgar served as governor from 1991 to 1999 and was the last Republican governor in Illinois to be elected to more than one term.  He was honored in May when the Illinois State Library's reading room was renamed in his honor.

• Walk to end Alzheimers nearing goal

The Alzheimer's Association's Walk to End Alzheimer's was held over the weekend in Downtown Manteno. Kayli Rizzo, senior manager for the walk, said despite the weather, turnout was pretty good.  The walk raised about 51-thousand of the 68-thousand dollar goal. Rizzo says you can give through the end of the year at alz.org. 

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• Two Bradley homes damaged by fire

Fire damaged a pair of homes in Bradley Thursday afternoon. Acting Bradley Fire Chief Jim Spoon says it was about 2:30 yesterday afternoon when firefighters were called to the 100 block of Quincy where they found fire that it had started on the back deck of one home and had already spread to a neighboring home where it traveled up the outside wall and into the attic. Chief Spoon says both homes are uninhabitable with nearly 100-thousand dollars worth of damage to the first home and about 75-thousand dollars worth of damage to the second house. One of the homes was vacant at the time of the fire, the other had one occupant who was pet-sitting for the home owners who were away. Spoon says while the initial fire was out pretty quickly, it took some time for firefighters to make sure the blaze was completely out. One fire-fighter was slightly injured while battling the blaze and was taken to the hospital as a precaution. 

• Herscher PD warns school bus stop arm violators

The Herscher Police Department is teaming up with the Illinois State Police and the Kankakee County Sheriff's Office in an effort to curb the number of school bus "stop arm" violations in the Herscher School District. Herscher Police Chief Kurt Quick says the district has already seen 24 such violations in the young school year.  Chief Quick says Herscher Police Officers will be riding on all Herscher buses that travel state highways. He adds the Herscher Police Department, County Sheriff's Department and Illinois State Police will be doing a special detail in the upcoming weeks. 

• What to do this weekend with Visit Kankakee County

Another weekend is upon us, with a look a some of the things to do in Kankakee County this weekend, here's Nicole Gavin, Executive Director of Visit Kankakee County.

• Good Shepherd Manor Fall Festival this Saturday

The 34th Annual Good Shepard Manor's Fall Festival takes place tomorrow from 10 to 4 in Momence. Director of Development Erin Richey with the details. Richey says parking and entry into the Fall Festival is free. Good Shepard Manor in Momence has been providing services to men with developmental and intellectual disabilities since 1971. 

• Woman safe after driving into river

A woman is safe after she was rescued from her car that wound up in the Kankakee River late Thursday morning. According to Kankakee County Sheriff's Police, it happened around 11 yesterday morning near 800 North Eagle Island Road. The car had to be towed out of the river. No injuries were reported and deputies are investigating how exactly she ended up in the river. 

• State to inspect haunted houses

The Illinois Department of Labor and Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal are working together to inspect haunted houses across the state before the Halloween season begins.  All haunted houses are required to be inspected by the state fire marshal's office prior to operation.  Haunted houses operated by not-for-profit religious, educational, or charitable organizations can apply for an exemption from IDOL inspection.  Two fires in the 1970s and 1980s at haunted houses led to closer scrutiny of haunted house safety.

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• Representatives Haas and Bunting reflect on 9/11

The Kankakee Area Chamber of Commerce held a legislative reception last night at the Kankakee Country Club. 79th District State Representative Jackie Haas and 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting were both on hand for the event. Today being the 24th anniversary of the 9-11 attacks in New York, we asked each of them for thoughts on the event. Statements from Representative Bunting and Haas.  Some 90 or so people were on hand for last night's event. 

• Haas attends legislative reception

The Kankakee Area Chamber of Commerce held a legislative reception last night at the Kankakee Country Club.  Haas said since the transportation bill deals with public transportation in Chicago, she doesn't believe the entire state should be saddle with the price tag. There were some 90 people on hand for last night's event.

• Bunting attends legislative reception

The Kankakee Area Chamber of Commerce held a legislative reception last night at the Kankakee Country Club. Among those on hand for the event was 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting who says there's a lot going on in Springfield as the Fall Veto session approaches.  Some 90 people were on hand for last night's event. 

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• Bailey says he'll run again

Darren Bailey is seeking a rematch with Governor Pritzker.  The former Republic state senator is reportedly planning to run for governor of Illinois again next year.  Cook County Republican Party Chairman Aaron Del Mar said he has agreed to be his running mate.  A formal campaign announcement is expected later this month.  Bailey lost to Pritzker in the governor's race in 2022.

• Search continues for Ford Co shooter

A search continues for a man accused of shooting two officers in Ford County last month.  State police say officers responded August 9th to the 100 block of Ash Street in Gibson City on a report of a naked man, identified as David Jordan, walking outside.  While making contact with Jordan at his home, a Gibson City Police officer and Ford County Sheriff's officer were shot.  Shortly after the shooting, the house caught fire.  Jordan is considered to be armed and dangerous.

• Crime Stoppers Tip of the Week

The Manteno Police Department continues to look into multiple reports of shots fired in the Village Friday evening. With our Crime Stoppers Tip of the Week, here's Kankakee County Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Trent Bukowski

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• Kankakee Co Board changes zoning to allow for wedding venue

There will soon be a new wedding venue in the Bourbonnais area. During Tuesday morning's meeting of the Kankakee County Board, the Board okayed rezoning of a section of property from residential to general commercial. County Director of Planning and GIS Del Skimmerhorn makes a statement.  The clubhouse and banquet facility had been vacant for several years.

• Kankakee County Board seats new members, announces openings

The Kankakee County Board has two new members. Both were sworn in at the start of Tuesday morning's meeting. County Board Chairman Matt Alexander-Hildebrand introduced them to the Board.  Koerner was named to fill the unexpired term of Christopher Tholen in District 10 while Lewellen will finish out the term of Joseph Swanson in District 14. Also at this morning's meeting a vacancy was declared in County Board District 28, where Amanda Armour Irps resigned effective September 3rd because she was moving out of the district. County Board Chairman Alexander-Hildebrand also read a letter from Peggy Sue Munday announcing her resignation from District 21 effective September 10th because she is moving out of the district.

• Bradley Police make indecent exposure arrest

Bradley Police report the arrest of a Danforth man after he allegedly exposed himself to a woman while in a Bradley business. According to reports, officers were called to the business in the two-thousand-block of North Bradley Boulevard Monday for a report of a man who had allegedly exposed himself to a female employee. When they got there, officers found the offender had fled the scene, but through an investigation officers determined the offender to be Carson E. Maisonneuve of Danforth. Reports say Bradley Police contacted Maisonneuve who turned himself into Bradley Police. He was arrested on a preliminary charge of public indecency. 

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• Judy Kilbride passes

Word has reached the newsroom of the passing of Judy Kilbride. Kilbride, along with her late husband Gerry founded the Kilbride Family Foundation, a local not-for-profit. She was retired from the Bourbonnais Elementary School District where she had served as the Director of Student Services. Services have yet to be announced. She was 86 years old

• River body identified

The body found in the Kankakee River back in June of this year has been identified. According to a press release from the Kankakee County Coroner's office, the man's name is being withheld pending full notification of next of kin. The body that was believed to be of a Hispanic man was found on June 13th in the Kankakee River near the 300 Block of North Wall Street behind Riverside Hospital.

• Loaded gun found in Kankakee

A woman who stepped outside her apartment in Kankakee Sunday afternoon was met with the surprise of finding a gun in her backyard. According to police reports, the woman who lives in the 100 block of North Taylor Avenue found the gun just after 3 Sunday afternoon when she leaned over they porch by the back door of her apartment. When officers arrived, they discovered it was a loaded black 9mm handgun with an extended magazine holding numerous live rounds. The woman said she didn't see anyone near her apartment or where the gun was found. 

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• Notable Night Sky News for Sept 8th

Let's find out now what's going on overhead this week. With our Notable Night Sky News, here's Madeline Shepley, Astronomy Professor and Director of the Strickler Planetarium at Olivet

• Manteno Police investigate shots fired

Manteno Police are investigating after shots were fired in the Village Friday night. In a press release, Manteno Police say it was just before 11 Friday night when officers were called to the 100 block of East 2nd Street and spoke with a witness who said they'd heard multiple gunshots before hearing the sound of a car leaving the area. Reports say multiple shell casings were found at the scene and a vehicle involved was later found in the 200 block of Stadium Drive in Bourbonnais. Manteno Police ask anyone with information call their office or Crime Stoppers at 815-93-CRIME.

• Drive-through Christmas lights display on for Watseka

The planned City of Watseka lighted drive-through display is officially on for this Christmas season. During last week’s Watseka Area Chamber of Commerce Business after hours at the Watseka Food Pantry, Chamber Executive Director Amanda Hibbs gave an update.  Hibbs says the plan is to turn on the lights following the Watseka lighted Christmas Parade and the lights will be turned off after the first of the year. You can contact the Watseka Area Chamber for more information. 

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• Fire destroys Bourbonnais eatery

Fire destroyed the Harolds Chicken location across from Olivet in Bourbonnais overnight. Bourbonnais Fire Protection Chief Jim Keener says firefighters were called to the scene just before two this morning when someone called in they'd seen smoke coming from the building. When they got there, firefighters found fire inside the building. Chief Keener says the building is a total loss. No one was injured battling the blaze, the cause of the fire is under investigation.

• Kankakee Police make arson arrest

Kankakee City Police have made a second arrest in connection to a to garage fire June 13th in the 400 block of South Elm Avenue. According to reports, detectives arrested the owner of the home, 24 year old Noah F. Mirrielees, just before 5 Wednesday afternoon on charges of arson to defraud insurance and was transported to the Jerome Combs Detention Center. 27 year old Carlos S. Vazquez was arrested near the scene of the fire the day it took place and charged with Arson.

• Traffic stop nets Kankakee Police a drug arrest

A traffic stop Wednesday afternoon netted Kankakee City Police a drug arrest. According to reports, officers pulled over a white SUV in the 1500 block of West Court Street just after 4 Wednesday afternoon for an equipment violation. Reports say the officers could smell the odor of burnt cannabis coming from inside the SUV and asked the driver, 23 year old Jose S Soto to step out of the car. A search of the SUV allegedly turned up several grams of raw cannabis, two suspected xanx pills, THC Wax and powder, a digital scale, .45 caliber magazine loaded with 8 live rounds, and a bb gun. Soto was arrested and charged with possession of ammunition with no foid card, manufacture with intent to deliver cannabis, among other charges. 

• Nugent to join prisoner review board

Former Manteno Mayor Tim Nugent is set to resign from his position as the president of the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County and be appointed to the Illinois Prisoner Review Board by Governor JB Pritzker. Nugent tells us he had always planned to step down from the Economic Alliance once his time as Mayor came to an end and that he's more than qualified for this new position.  Nugent added he applied for the position online. Nugent's last day at the Economic Alliance is September 12th and his first day on the Illinois Prisoner Review Board will be September 16th. According to Illinois dot gov, board members get paid close to 148 thousand dollars annually.

• What to do around Kankakee County this weekend

Time now to find out what's going on around Kankakee County this weekend. With a look at a few of the events, here's Nicole Gavin, Executive Director of Visit Kankakee County

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• Powerball jackpot rolls over....again

The Powerball jackpot is jumping to a staggering one-point-seven billion dollars. There wasn't a winner on Wednesday night of the one-point-four billion dollar jackpot, the fourth largest in game history.  If you win, you can elect to receive annuity payments of over five-million annually for over 30 years, or take a one-time lump sum of 770-million-dollars before taxes.  The next drawing is on Saturday.

• Will County Deputies investigate Crete Township shooting

Will County Sheriff's Police are investigating after two people were found shot in a car in Crete Township Tuesday night. In a Facebook post, Will County Deputies say there were called to the 23-hundred block of East Exchange Street in Crete Township about 9:15 Tuesday night. When they got there, they found a car parked in the roadway with multiple bullet holes and shattered windows. Reports say a search of the area turned up some 40 shell casings. Deputies say they found two people inside the car, each suffering gunshot wounds. The female driver had been shot in the head and hand, while the male passenger was hit in the hip and buttock. Both were taken to the hospital where the man died of his injuries. Will County Deputies continue to investigate the shooting. 

• 1% grocery sales tax to remain in Manteno

The one-percent sales tax on groceries will continue in the Village of Manteno. During Tuesday night's Village Board meeting Manteno Trustees voted to keep the tax in place once the State level tax expires January first. During the public comment portion of the meeting, Manteno resident Francine Fatima spoke out against the tax.  During his portion of the meeting, Trustee Mike Barry who chairs the Finance Committee said letting the tax expire would hurt village finances.  In the end, trustees voted unanimously to keep the tax in place once it expires January first. 

• Manteno prepares for Oktoberfest

During Tuesday night's Manteno Village Board meeting, Manteno Chamber of Commerce President and Village Marketing and Community Relations Director Jakob Knox noted the Village's Oktoberfest celebration is quickly approaching.  Oktoberfest is scheduled for the weekend of September 25th in downtown Manteno. 

• Local historical bus tour announced

Tickets are now on sale for a historical bus tour around Kankakee County next month. Nicole Gavin, Executive Director of Visit Kankakee County has the details.  There are only 34 seats available on the bus. Planned stops on the tour include the George R.  Letourneau House and Log Schoolhouse, the French Heritage Museum, the Kankakee County Museum  and the Perry Farm. You can contact visit Kankakee County for more information. 

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• Bourbonnais PD has new Patrol Commander

During last night's Bourbonnais Village Board meeting, Police Chief Dave Morefield swore in Brent Barrie as a new Patrol Commander in the Village.  Also during last night's meeting, Chief Morefield noted the hire of a new patrolman, which brings the department up to full strength. 

• Bourbonnais Village Board has first reading of Ordinance to outlaw certain drugs in the Village

The Bourbonnais Village Board last night, heard the first reading of an ordinance that would outlaw Cannabinoid and Kratom drugs in the Village. County Coroner Bob Gessner was there to support the legislation.  Gessner noted there have been several deaths in Kankakee County from these types of drugs over the last few years. The Ordinance would make the possession of these drugs punishable by a fine. The second reading and possible passing of the Ordinance will be held at the next Village Board meeting on September 15th. 

• Crime Stoppers Tip of the Week

Kankakee City Police are looking for help to identify those responsible for a shots fired incident in the 700 block of South Wall Street late last month. With our Crime Stoppers Tip of the Week, here's Kankakee County Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Trent Bukowski.  Tips to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and could result in a cash reward. 

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